AP Psych 3.6: Social - Emotional Development

Ecological Systems Theory

a theory of the social environment's influence on human development, using five nested systems ranging from direct to indirect influences

Microsystem

in the ecological systems theory, the immediate environment that an individual personally experiences

Mesosystem

in the ecological systems theory, the interconnections among immediate, or microsystem, settings

Exosystem

in the ecological systems theory, environmental settings that a person does not directly experience but that can affect the person indirectly

Macrosystem

in the ecological systems theory, the larger cultural and social context within which the other systems are embedded

Chronosystem

in the ecological systems theory, the individual's current stage of life. The timing and context of these experiences shape an individual's life and future outcomes.

Authoritarian Parenting Style

parents place a high value on conformity and obedience, are often rigid, and express little warmth to the child

Authoritative Parenting Style

parenting style characterized by emotional warmth, high standards for behavior, explanation and consistent enforcement of rules, and inclusion of children in decision making

Permissive Parenting Style

a parenting style that has high warmth and low expectations - allows freedom, lax parenting that doesn't set limits or enforce rules constantly

attachment

an emotional tie with another person; shown in young children by their seeking closeness to the caregiver and showing distress on separation

secure attachment

demonstrated by infants who comfortably explore environments in the presence of their caregiver, show only temporary distress when the caregiver leaves, and find comfort in the caregiver's return

insecure attachment

demonstrated by infants who display either a clinging, anxious attachment or an avoidant attachment that resists closeness

Avoidant Attachment

caregiver is emotionally unavailable, rejecting, or "cold" towards the child's needs, which results in an infant who doesn't seek comfort from caregiver when distressed, and learns to not rely on others

Anxious Attachment

caregiver is inconsistently responsive to the child's needs, which results in an infant being very clingy, stays close to the caregiver, and gets very upset when the caregiver leaves. However, when the caregiver returns, the child may be difficult to soothe.

Disorganized Attachment

caregiver is source of comfort and fear, potentially stemming from abuse, neglect, trauma, which results in an infant who has a mix of avoidant and anxious behaviors. They may appear confused, dazed, or apprehensive.

temperament

a person's characteristic emotional reactivity and intensity

separation anxiety

emotional distress seen in many infants when they are separated from people with whom they have formed an attachment

parallel play

activity in which children play side by side without interacting

Pretend Play

make-believe activities in which children create new symbolic relations, acting as if they were in a situation different from their actual one

Imaginary Audience

adolescents' belief that they are the focus of everyone else's attention and concern

Personal Fable

young people believe themselves to be unique and protected from harm

Social Clock

the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement

Emerging Adulthood

a period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults

Stage Theory of Psychosocial Development

Theory that identifies eight stages through which a healthily developing human should pass from infancy to late adulthood.

Trust vs. Mistrust

first stage - If needs are dependably met, infants develop a sense of basic trust

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Erikson's stage in which a toddler learns to exercise will and to do things independently; failure to do so causes shame and doubt

Initiative v. Guilt

3rd stage in Erikson's model; preschoolers must learn to start and direct creative tasks, or they may feel guilty about asserting themselves

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's 4th stage between 6 and puberty, when the child learns to be productive and competent, while also comparing themselves to their peers

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's 5th stage during which teenagers and young adults search for and become their true selves

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's 6th stage in which individuals form deeply personal relationships, marry, begin families

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's 7th stage of social development in which middle-aged people begin to devote themselves more to fulfilling one's potential and doing public service

Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's 8th, and final, stage in which those near the end of life look back and evaluate their lives in either a fufilled way or regretful way

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Stressful or traumatic experiences, including abuse, neglect, and a range of household dysfunction, such as witnessing domestic violence or growing up with substance abuse, mental disorders, parental discord, or crime in the home. Can also be impacted by sociocultural backgrounds

identity

our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles

achievement of identity

active exploration where adolescents make a commitment to highly developed sense of beliefs and values

diffusion of identity

basically "undecided" about who you are, what you want in life characterized by lack of exploration and commitment to any specific goals or values

foreclosure of identity

Commitment to identity without exploration, usually accepting other's values and beliefs; typically due to family pressure

moratorium of identity

Active exploration of identity without commitment, such as changing your major a lot in college (lots of exploration) but not committing to one path

racial/ethic identity

How we view ourselves in terms of race and ethnicity

Gender Identity

the individual's sense of being male or female

Sexual Orientation

a person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted

Religious Identity

An individual's sense of belonging to a religious group

Occupational Identity

How a person identifies themselves based on their job or career choices and how they feel those roles impact their personal identity.

Familial Identity

The part of an individual's identity that is formed by the relationships they have with their family members.

possible selves

representations of what we could become, what we would like to become, and what we are afraid of becoming